PSRL-1
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{{Use American English|date=May 2022}}
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{{Infobox weapon
| name = Precision Shoulder-fired Rocket Launcher-1 (PSRL-1)
| image = PSRL-1.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| alt =
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| type = Rocket-propelled grenade launcher
| origin = United States
| is_ranged = Yes
| is_bladed =
| is_explosive = Yes
| is_artillery =
| is_vehicle =
| is_missile = Yes
| is_UK =
| service = 2017–present
| used_by = See {{section link||Users}}
| wars = Russo-Ukrainian War
| designer = AirTronic USA
| design_date =
| manufacturer = AirTronic USA
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| mass = {{convert|14|lb|abbr=on}}
| length = 36 in (915 mm)
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| caliber = {{convert|40|mm|abbr=on}}
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| rate = 3–4 rounds per minute
| velocity =
| range = Up to {{convert|850|m|abbr=on}}+ (round and sight dependent)
| max_range = {{convert|1200|m|abbr=on}} (round and sight dependent)
| feed =
| sights = {{unbulleted list|3.5×24 PSRL optical sight|3×24 Sightmark Wolfhound Prismatic Weapon Sight with custom RPG BDC Reticle|3.5×35 Trijicon ACOG TA11 Scope with Custom RPG BDC Reticle|Standard flip-up back-up Iron Sights|12× Pulsar Trail XP-50 Thermal Sight ({{convert|800|m|abbr=on}} range)|10× Pulsar Trail XP-30 Thermal Sight ({{convert|500|m|abbr=on}} range)}}
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| weight = {{convert|14|lb|abbr=on}}
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The Precision Shoulder-fired Rocket Launcher-1 also known as the (PSRL-1) is a modified American copy of the Soviet/Russian RPG-7 shoulder-fired rocket-propelled grenade launcher developed by AirTronic USA.{{cite web |url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/ausa_2016_show_daily_news_tv_coverage_report/new_us-made_rocket_propelled_grenade_psrl-1_able_to_fire_all_rockets_of_soviet_rpg-7_10510163.html|title=New US-made Rocket Propelled Grenade PSRL-1 able to fire all rockets of Soviet RPG-7 10510163|website=Army Recognition|date=2016-10-05|access-date=2022-05-05|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127120157/https://armyrecognition.com/ausa_2016_show_daily_news_tv_coverage_report/new_us-made_rocket_propelled_grenade_psrl-1_able_to_fire_all_rockets_of_soviet_rpg-7_10510163.html|archive-date=November 27, 2022}}{{cite web |url=http://www.airtronic-usa.com/products/airtronic-rpg-7-usa/|title=AirTronic Precision Shoulder-fired Rocket Launcher (PSRL)|website=airtronic-usa.com |access-date=May 5, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322030631/https://airtronic-usa.com/products/airtronic-rpg-7-usa/|archive-date=March 22, 2023}}{{cite web |url=http://www.airtronic-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/psrl-1.pdf |title=AirTronic Precision Shoulder-Fired Rocket Launcher (PSRL-1)|website=airtronic-usa.com |access-date=May 5, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011152642/http://www.airtronic-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/psrl-1.pdf|archive-date=October 11, 2022}}
The PSRL-1 is primarily manufactured for US-allied nations who are accustomed to Soviet-style weapons and international export.{{cite magazine |title=PSRL-1 na Ukrainie |url=http://www.milmag.pl/news/view?news_id=176 |magazine=MILMAG |language=pl |date= July 9, 2017 |access-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731032941/http://www.milmag.pl/news/view?news_id=176|archive-date=July 31, 2018|url-status=dead|trans-title=PSRL-1 in Ukraine}}
History
In 2009, the American company AirTronic USA revealed their modernized version of the RPG-7, named the RPG-7USA, which was later developed into the PSRL-1.
The weapon was a Program of Record in the United States Special Operations Command by 2015, and the PSRL-1 entered production by mid-2016, with one of its first pre-commercial debut seen in Cinemax show, Banshee.
The first confirmed sales were made to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2017. Ukrainian troops used it for the first time in a conflict during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{cite web |last=Rempfer |first=Kyle |date=2018-05-22 |title=Ukrainian troops spotted with American-made, but Russian-styled, RPGs. Here's where they came from. |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/gearscout/2018/05/22/ukrainian-troops-spotted-with-american-made-but-still-russian-styled-weapons/ |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=Military Times|archiveurl=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/0rSu3|archive-date= April 9, 2023}} At least one was captured by Russian forces.{{cite web |last=Moss|first=Matthew |date=2022-03-09 |title=Anti-Tank Weapons of The War in Ukraine |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2022/03/09/anti-tank-weapons-war-ukraine/ |website=The Firearm Blog |access-date=2022-04-08|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330085508/https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2022/03/09/anti-tank-weapons-war-ukraine/|archive-date= March 30, 2022}}
The PSRL-1 was adopted by the Peruvian Army.{{cite news|url=https://www.unian.info/m/war/10121078-national-guard-receives-500-u-s-made-grenade-launchers-photo.html |title=National Guard receives 500 U.S.-made grenade launchers (Photo) |work=UNIAN |date=May 17, 2018 |access-date=May 5, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013015124/https://www.unian.info/war/10121078-national-guard-receives-500-u-s-made-grenade-launchers-photo.html|archive-date=October 13, 2022}}
Specifications
The PSRL-1 or RPG-7USA is fitted with a MIL-STD-1913 quad-rail for mounting accessories, is compatible with mil-spec M4 carbine–style pistol grips and stocks, and is backwards compatible with all existing RPG-7 ammunition.
The PSRL-1 is typically equipped with a proprietary 3.5× optical sight with an illuminated etched reticle, or an EOTech sight with a holographic reticle.
The manufacturer claims a 90% hit probability at {{convert|800|m|sp=us}} with the standard magnified sight, although it is reportedly accurate at ranges from {{convert|900|-|1,200|m|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |title=AirTronic USA {{!}} AirTronic PSRL-1 USA |url=https://airtronic-usa.com/products/airtronic-rpg-7-usa/ |website=AirTronic USA |language=en|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322030631/https://airtronic-usa.com/products/airtronic-rpg-7-usa/|archive-date=March 22, 2023}}
The PSRL-1 is made of 4140/4150 ordnance-grade steel for a 1,000-round lifespan, weighs {{convert|14|lb|2|abbr=on}} unloaded and without optics, and can separate into two pieces for compact carry.
AirTronic also developed a more advanced GS-777/PSRL-2 model made of a high-strength polymer that reduced total launcher weight to {{convert|7.77|lb|abbr=on}}, though the weight later increased to {{convert|9.5|lb|abbr=on}} to further improve durability and life cycle.
The lighter model has a top rail and uses a new trigger group. The center of gravity has moved forward to compensate for the muzzle weight. It comes standard with the TA11 ACOG.{{cite web |title=AirTronic USA {{!}} GS-777 Lightweight Shoulder-Fired Recoilless Launcher |url=https://airtronic-usa.com/products/gs-777-lightweight-shoulder-fired-recoilless-launcher/ |website=AirTronic USA |language=en|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322215836/https://airtronic-usa.com/products/gs-777-lightweight-shoulder-fired-recoilless-launcher/|archive-date=March 22, 2023}}
After AirTronic was acquired by Daycraft Systems, the RSRL-1's were renamed as Daycraft Recoilless Precision Rifles (RePR-G7) separated into 3 models: 30 in (762 mm) long and 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg) heavy G730, 30 in (762 mm) long and 8 lbs (3.6 kg) heavy G730QD and 36 in (915 mm) long and 14lbs (6.4 kg) heavy G736.
=Ammunition=
{{See also|RPG-7#Ammunition}}
File:PSRL-1, National Guard of Ukraine, 2024.png
Although Airtronic launchers are compatible with Soviet RPG-7 rocket ammunition, AirTronic also manufactures their own modernized RPG-7 rocket ammunition within the United States, and fully owns the intellectual property of their rocket ammunition.
Improvements have been made focusing on the fuzing, reliability, robustness, and manufacturing quality per United States Department of Defense standards.
The warhead fuze features a dual safe and arm arrangement for improved handling safety, and the rocket motor ignitor fuze has been redesigned to improve motor ignition reliability.
AirTronic recommends the use of their ammunition in their launchers to achieve the advertised level of performance.
Inert training variants which match the ballistics of live ammunition are also available, allowing for safe training at a reduced cost. The inert warheads of training variants are filled with marking compound so that the impact of the round can be observed from afar.
There are three variants of ammunition:{{cite web |title=AirTronic Shoulder-Fired Rocket Ammunition |url=https://airtronic-usa.com/products/airtronic-shoulder-fired-rocket-ammunition-2/ |website=AirTronic USA |language=en|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322215814/https://airtronic-usa.com/products/airtronic-shoulder-fired-rocket-ammunition-2/|archive-date=March 22, 2023}}
- SR-H1, a {{convert|3.82|kg|abbr=on}} {{convert|93|mm|abbr=on}} high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead that is able to penetrate {{convert|500|mm|abbr=on}} rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) and has tracer ability. Its effective range is at {{convert|500|m|abbr=on}}, while maximum range can reach up to {{convert|800|m|abbr=on}}. The fire rate is between 4 and 6 rounds per minute.
- SR-T1, a {{convert|3.82|kg|abbr=on}} {{convert|93|mm|abbr=on}} inert warhead is a training round and cannot penetrate armor, though it does retain tracer ability. Its effective range is at {{convert|500|m|abbr=on}}, while maximum range can reach up to {{convert|800|m|abbr=on}}. The rate of fire is between 4 and 6 rpm.
- SR-T2, a {{convert|2.12|kg|abbr=on}} 70 mm inert warhead is also a training round and cannot penetrate armor, though it does retain tracer ability. Its effective range is at {{convert|800|m|abbr=on}}, while maximum range can reach up to {{convert|1200|m|abbr=on}}. The rate of fire is between 4 and 6 rpm.
In 2015, it was reported that new guided rocket ammunition could extend the effective range up to {{convert|2,000|m|sp=us}}. No such ammunition has been presented.{{cite web |title=Americanized RPG-7 is Ready to Serve - Defense Update: |url=https://defense-update.com/20151014_psrl.html|date=14 October 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203101521/https://defense-update.com/20151014_psrl.html|archive-date=December 3, 2022}}
=Accessories=
In conjunction with the weapon, the complete PSRL system includes different sighting systems, spare parts, slings, cases, ammo bags, and bipods for customization and transport. Additionally, AirTronic offers various optional Cerakote coatings.
Users
- {{flag|Peru}}
- {{flag|Turkey}}{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/aybarsbtr/status/1480262454215122953/ |title=Turkish Navy Special Force uses PSRL-1 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202111745/https://twitter.com/aybarsbtr/status/1480262454215122953|archive-date=December 2, 2022}}{{better source needed|date=February 2025}}
- {{flag|Ukraine}}
- {{flag|United States}}{{cite web|title=RPG 7|url=https://salw-guide.bicc.de/en/weapon/view/42/rpg-7|website=SALW Guide |publisher=Bonn International Center for Conversion|access-date=28 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325205743/https://salw-guide.bicc.de/en/weapon/view/42/rpg-7|archive-date=25 March 2019|url-status=live}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Russian RPG series}}
Category:Anti-tank rockets of the United States
Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2010s
Category:Rocket-propelled grenade launchers
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